I am but a feeble woman, would God I were a man but I will give gladly my own life for my beloved South #cw150

February

Roanoke Island fell in the hands of the Yanks.

March 14th 1862

Newberne has been taken by the Yankees, our men were overpowered by greatly superior numbers… The citizens fired the town. Gen. Gatlin has proved himself a coward by feigning sickness.

April 11th 1862

Friday night

What I have suffered this night will be ever fresh in my memory. The great love I bear my country will I fear lead me to extremes. But I am so anxious and confident for our success in this unjust war – that it drives me mad when I see & hear desponding persons- who are brave enough when the enemy is kept at a distance but let their homes be menaces let them have to give up one single comfort & they are speedily transformed into a set a miserable croakers, traitors they will prove in the end – and this speculation which is going on. It is fearful to think of it, but we see quite enough without dwelling upon it. Poor grasping, misguided wretch. What good will the few dollars you have wrung from your own people do you when you come to die. Each cent will be a red hot coal burning your perjured soul. But even in this world what good will it do you. The finger of scorn is already laid upon you  you carry the badge of eternal shame wherever you go —-

I am but a feeble woman, would God I were a man but I will give my life’s best treasures, yea I will sacrifice, gladly my own life for my beloved South – we do not deserve to be free & rest assured God will not suffer us to be free, for he only helps those who help themselves – unless we are willing to make great personal sacrifices.

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

“Prisoners of Hope”! #civilwar150

May 10, 1862

“Prisoners of Hope”! yes we are indeed prisoners but to a most delightful tho delusive jailor.  We have become quid nuncs & watch the papers to see what more we can find to feed our hopes on, that is to rivet our chains with.

The skirmish nearWilliamsburgwas a most brilliant one.  The enemy admit a loss of 600 prisoners, killed wounded & yet claim a victory because they held the filed which we did not want & were retreating from when they attempted to arrest us.  Between West Point and New Kent Court House at Barhamsville in another skirmish we repulsed them three times & finally drove them to their gun boats, but the evacuation ofNorfolkis moer than we can understand.  It seems to us madness & folly.  The Captain of a Steamer sent from Norfolk to Seawell’s Point to bring off a Columbiad there, a Yankee named Byers, instead of obeying orders, turned traitor & steamed down to Fortress Monroe & gave information to Gen Wool of our intended &, in fact, half executed evacuation.  In consequence two Frigates, two Iron Clads, & some Gun boats came up and made an attack on the Batteries at Seawell’s Point; but the Merrimac, getting up steam, came out of the Harbour, but no sooner was she seen rounding the Point off Craney Island than Hey!  Presto!—the Yankee ships vanished & left her without an opponent.

Burnside it is rumoured is aiming at the R R at Wilson.  The Cotton in that section is fortunately all burnt and if Gen Holmes uses his troops well—we have nothing to fear in that quarter.

Intimations of recognition from France.  Suffering great in England for the want of Cotton.  Reversing the Divine will of one suffering for many, there many suffer for the fault of one!  Yours, my Lord Russel!

The [Thirteenth] N C Regt was terribly cut up at Williamsburg.  This is the Regt which thought of running Patrick for its Col on the Promotion of Pender & with whom he would not electioneer, despite his being urged to it, thinking it out of a Soldiers duty to be running after promotion.  How much suffering & anxiety have I been spared!—& this is not the only instance, for had the Sec of War placed him, as the Gov requested, in command of the remnant of the Hatteras Regt, he would have been in the disastrous fight at Roanoke Island.  And again, had the Governor’s wishes been carried out he would have been placed in command of Fort Macon on Bridgers retirement & the gallant & hopeless task of its defense would have fallen upon him & he now be, if he had escaped, chafing on his parole.  What short sighted mortals we are!  Can we never learn that God ordains every thing and that He alone knows what is best for us?  Let me learn the lesson now before the disappointment about the battalion comes and know that after he has done his utmost there should be no repining because God brings it to naught.

Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html

Read Full Post »

4-25-1862: Catherine reviews losses and victories across the Confederacy in her diary #cw150

April 25, 1862

Letter from Patrick at Yanceyville; may be at home tomorrow; has mustered Capt Reinhart’s Co for “Edmondston’s Batalion of Light Horse.”  He goes to Richmond to see the Sec of War, thence home.  Would that I were well to welcome him.

The smoke of Battle has cleared up from the field of Corinth & seems now settled that on Monday we had a splendid Victory equal to Manassas, dimmed only by the loss of Gen A S Johnson; but the enemy during the night being reinforced by Buel snatched its fruits from the grasp of our jaded troops & retook much of their field artillery which we had captured the day before, but we burnt their tents & camp equipage, inflicting a heavy loss on them besides sleeping Sunday night in their encampment.  Monday’s battle was a drawn one, both sides falling back.

Island No 10 was taken by a feat of the most remarkable Engineering skill ever displayed & for which the enemy deserve the greatest credit for their energy & perserverance, being nothing less than the sawing out a passage through a swamp, capable of passing their gun boats around the Island & thus flanking & attacking it on the undefended side.  They took advantage of a swamp called the “Earthquake seam,”  it having been the effect of a supposed Earthquake years ago & now grown up into a thick & impassable swamp.  At high water their boats can readily float but trees, some of them three feet through, fill the whole space.  Nothing daunted, the engineers went to work & sawed a passage three feet under water the whole distance.  The branches interlock, so that it was necessary to use ladders of rope for the men to ascend them & cut off the branches which interfered with their smoke stacks.  The details are so marvelous that, as our Northern brethren are given to lying, we must be excused believing them all.  The fact that they passed is wonderful enough.  Ah! that the Mississippi had fallen to its usual level suddenly & impaled their gun boats upon the snags & stumps they had just sawed off with such labour!  Our men being thus out flanked, spiked their guns, sunk their gunboats, destroyed what of the provisions & ammunition they could & then all who were able made their escape.  Our sick of course were forced to remain & a number who could not get over the River.  The adventures of those who did escape are thrilling!

Bad news from New Orleans.  Two steamers have succeeded in passing the Forts and are on their way to the city.  We have some Iron boats above them however which they will have to pass.  I hope they will give a good account of themselves.

The finding of the Court of Inquiry appointed to investigate the causes of the Roanoke Island disaster is that Maj Gen Huger & the late Sec of War Mr J B Benjamin are to blame for the whole affair.  The situation of the defences were repeatedly represented to them by Gen Wise & Col Shaw.  A deputation of gentlemen from the neighboring Counties waited on the Sec & offered to send their negroes there to complete the fortification but to no purpose.  If their consciences have not already done so, the Court has now planted a thorn in their pillows for them.

The affair at South Mills in Pasquotank County grows in importance.  Col Wright’s Georgia Regt repulsed three Yankee ones under Gen Reno, captured their canon, & the powder they had provided to blow up the Locks of the Canal, besides killing & wounding many.  Our loss slight.

 Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html

Read Full Post »

we stumbled over the body of a man…dead drunk; a few feet farther on lay another one in the same condition #cw150

Monday 3^rd [1862]

We pulled and pushed last night till 9 ½ when our boat swung clear, and we run up to our fleet arriving home a bout 12 ½ — was very dark, and as we came up through the woods, we stumbled over the body of a man – a guard came up, and we found it was a member of the 11^th Conn – dead drunk; a few feet farther on lay another one in the same condition. The General (Burnside) ordered the guard to take them home & put them in the guard house – this morning when they found they had been picked up by the General they were frightened half to death – We have had some of the funniest instances of promptness, and again of greenness with our guards. We have a strong guard round the house, and one of them Stands in the Entry, and sees to the fires, up stairs & down – the other night the General & myself was up writing about two oclock. He “was took” & went out – the Sentinel did not see him as he passed out, but when he started to Come in he found a bayonet pointed at him, with “who comes there.” “The General in Chief” was the reply. “Advance General & give the Countersign” but as the General had not the magic word with him, he had to stand in his dressing gown, Slippers & drawers, till he could call the Corporal & get passed. He came in laughing ready to kill himself over it – Mr French was passing the guard one evening, when the guard cried, Halt! – “Well” says Mr F. “Halt” says the guard – “well what next” says French – I am going to say Halt once more & then Shoot” was the reply. The ignorant fellow was taken to the Sergeant & instructed in his duties – This morning was calm & warm, but so foggy you could not see the harbor at all – it has been all kinds of weather during the day and now it is blowing a gale – The Commodore came on shore this morning with Capt Case the Capt of the fleet, and took a long ride on horseback – and dined with us – we had Turtle soup, and I never eat a better one – Pate de Poisson, broiled flat fish – Roast goose, grouse – duck – boiled Ham – Corn, tomatoes, beets, potatoes, macaronie – sweet potatoe pudding – apple fritters champagne & sherry – the cooking was very good, but it has taken a deal of scolding to make the Cook do his work properly – This evening I went into one of the tents & begun to hum “Old John Brown” some one joined me, then another & we got to singing & some 6 of us have been singing all the evening till I am perfectly hoarse it is the first sing I have had since we left home –

Source: Daniel Larned Papers, Library of Congress, Transcribed from original by John Barden for Tryon Palace Historic Site & Gardens

*** Daniel Larned was General Burnside’s Private Secretary for most of the Civil War

Read Full Post »

This is a gloomy time…my dear boys, I do not know but they may be killed or wounded #cw150

Feb. 27

        This is a gloomy time, we have not heard from our daughter in Ark. in several weeks, we feel very anxious about her. I commit her to the hands of my Heavenly Father, I believe she is safe.

         My boys can’t come home this week as they expected, they are expecting an attack from the Enemy. I feel concerned about my dear boys, I do not know but they may be killed or wounded.

         The Enemy are getting the advantage of us. They have taken Roanoke island and 2,000 of our men prisoners. They have possession of Fort Donnelson in Tennessee, ’tis said our Forces have evacuated Nashville.

Source: Mary Jeffreys Bethell Diary, 1853-1873.  #1737-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/imls/bethell/menu.html

 

Read Full Post »

While I write a “rebel” is talking with the General…and such queer talk I never heard #cw150

March 1^st [1862] (continued from an earlier letter to family in NY)

The month has come in like a Lion; it blows very hard. The white capes are all over the Sound, and the waves very high, but the sun is clear & bright – it is one of Roanoke’s Winter days – Last evening about 7 ½ the General handed me a note & Said: “ Mr Larned can you get that on board the Commodore’s vessel & bring me an answer to night” – I promptly replied “Yes Sir” – but how to do it I did not know – it was dark and blowing hard – but out I went – the Flag Ship lay some 3 miles down the harbor. I went down to the wharf out to the end. Some 500 feet from the Shore & Shouted “Phoenix  a hoy” till I was hoarse. (the Generals boat & crew was on the Phoenix) but no reply; no one could see me, neither could I see the boats any where – at last I got a “cunner” or canoe & pushed off to the Phoenix got the boat & went down, delivered my message & back safely. The Generals “Thank you Mr Larned I am very much obliged to you” was ample reward – we have been for several days trying to go round to “Oregon Inlet, “ but the wind is too fresh, to accomplish anything if we went – Your letters 18^th with that of Ed Townsend came safely to hand day before yesterday – letters from Providence say my letters are in great demand – I have written Mrs. Burnside that if my letters become general I can not write freely – but you must not show my journal, save to family friends – I am glad to have Mr Fellows and Mr Nicholson see them, because it interests them for the time, and will make no lasting impression like Rosalie [Starrs] books — but I can’t bear to have them read & criticized.  While I write a “rebel” is talking with the General, not a rebel but a native – and such queer talk I never heard.  “tuk” for took “Coona” for couldn’t “right smart” for great deal &c. A man came to me the second time inquiring for some person & says “Well Sir I never knowed him no more arter you showed him to me agin” The other day I took some papers out to some contrabands, and said I to the mother of some dozen little nigs “can you read at all” – “Why bress de Lor Massa, I dun no B. from Bulls feet; I’se wish to God I did”  About ten o’clock this morning, Mr French and I went out ot walk, we went into the woods, and though the wind was blowing very fresh here at the house, there the sun came down as warm as July – we passed several houses, and talked with the people – they are all ignorant persons, and the children look like crazy beings – no [manners] ragged, uncombed & dirty.  The houses are all poor, but large – nothing but clapboards & shingles – if I can I will draw a plan of this house which is a fair sample of all – the best place I have seen yet, and one that comes the nearest to civilization was in the middle of the woods. It was a two story house, two room on each floor, & no walls or lathing – only the rough beams – every window had over half of the panes broken out. A man with three children lived there. There were the strangest looking beings I ever saw – I tried to talk with them, but they giggled & ran away – I saw two or three doves – some poor cattle, but the whole places looked like Israel [Ellis] fine house in its worst states of decay – Yet this man is considered a rich man. Evening I have been looking over that book “John” or “is a Cousin the hand” & c., how many recollections it brings up -on one page is written in H.D.W.’s hand “April 5 1854 Daniel” who thought that would come out to North Carolina

Source: Daniel Larned Papers, Library of Congress, Transcribed from original by John Barden for Tryon Palace Historic Site & Gardens

*** Daniel Larned was General Burnside’s Private Secretary for most of the Civil War

 

Read Full Post »

Uniform of Lt. Col. Shaw, captured at Roanoke Island #cw150

Uniform of Henry M. Shaw,LieutenantCol.of 8th Regiment, NC State Troops. 

Shaw was captured atRoanoke Islandon February 8th, 1862.  Born inCurrituckCounty, Henry M. Shaw was appointed colonel of the Eighth Regiment North Carolina State Troops on May 16, 1861. Shaw returned to returned to military duty after a prisoner exchange and later died in action nearNew Bernon February 1, 1864.

Grey wool Confederate Infantry uniform with gold braid on sleeves, Lt. Col. stars on collar (1 missing), and buttons with US staff eagle and shield, collar lined with green velvet.

Source:North CarolinaMuseumof History, 1914.236.9

Read Full Post »

February 29, 1862 doesn’t exist — Happy Leap Day 2012

 

Because I have no letters, diaries, or other tidbits written today, 150 years ago, I will “catch” up on some basics related to North Carolina and the national spotlight on her coastline during the early months of 1862.  As part of the overall Union’s Anaconda Plan to strangle the south’s ports, Brigadier General Ambrose Burnside and a Union force of 7,500 men landed on Roanoke Island on February 7, 1862.  Burnside’s forces quickly overwhelmed Confederate forces on the islands and forced the surrender of the Confederate garrison the next day.  During the Battle of Roanoke Island, Confederate forces suffered 23 killed, 58 wounded, 62 missing, and 2,500 captured.

 A month later, Burnside sailed his army from the island and captured the important town of New Bern in Craven County on March 14. From New Bern, he moved thirty-five miles southeast and seized Fort Macon, at Beaufort Inlet in Carteret County. These victories gave Union forces control of the strategically important Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.

 Thousands of liberated African Americans rejoiced at the appearance of the Union forces and escaped their plantations to seek freedom.  Many of these “contrabands” worked for the Union army and later enlisted to fight in the United States Colored Troops that were organized in 1863.  A Freedmen’s Colony was established at Roanoke Island in 1862 to accommodate these escaped slaves. 

 

For more information on the Burnside Expedition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnside’s_North_Carolina_Expedition 

And http://www.nps.gov/fora/historyculture/thecivilwar.htm

Read Full Post »

Col. Jordan says Burnside told him he expects to visit New Berne sometime #cw150

Rose Hill NC

Thursday morning, Feb the 24^th 1862

 Dear Father—

I embrace the present as the earliest opportunity of answering your communications of the 18^th inst. which came to hand some days since

This leaves us all in the enjoyment of good health & we trust may find that you have all entirely recovered from Measles and are again the vigorous health. When I last wrote I told you that I had joined a 12 mos. Volunteer Company for home defences. The Company are all in New Berne. It is Comp. A placed on the extreme right of 16^th Reg – I have not been with the Comp since it went into barracks  I have been detailed by the authorities for special duty as Physician to the families of Company & Community in which I reside Scarlatina – Measles – Mumps – though somewhat moderated in violence – I am at home and will remain unless New Berne is actually attacked – in that case I shall go down & take a hand in the defence.

Our defences around & about New Berne are pretty extensive and considered by military men to be very good. Since the taking of Roanoke Island Gen. Branch has called for 500 negroes to work on the Fort – which they are now attempting to Bomb Proof – If Burnside will give a few weeks time – we will give him one defeat in Eastern Carolina. Branch is also drawing all the troops from Hyde & that section of his division & concentrating these at New Berne. I received a letter from Hornaday several days since – He is at “Wood Brick Yard” 15 miles below New Berne on the R.R. where the Reg. is in Camp. He says they have nothing but pickled beef to eat & says a little Box – will be very acceptable to him. I will send him one soon – he says that he has written to you long since – but had received no answer last week.

I paid Bishop a month since – & Hornaday said he had paid Mr. Granger all right & would pay Dr. Perkins $8 on his bill, out of $10 I loaned him soon.

The Roanoke Island prisoners have all been Paroled – Col. Jordan of the 34^th is at home in New Berne  all the others will be home soon – Col. Jordan says Burnside told him he expects to visit New Berne sometime.

Mr. B.F. Biddle requested me to present to you his kind regards & tell you that you must come down again & spend a longer time & so we all think  Mr. Biddle said you would let him have 2 Barrels of Flour – during March and requested me to ask you to start it soon as convenient – said he did not have the money at present but would sell cotton & get it soon.  I too would like to have a Barrel – of course I have some yet but don’t like to get out & depend on the chance in Town – for since there are so many troops there Flour & c are hard to come at  it is worth $11 now.  If you will send me 5 8 or 10 Barrels including Biddle’s – directed just as you did before – I will send & get it sell it & forward you the amount of sales excepting Freight promptly. I’ve heard nothing from Pescud yet but got hard run for guessing & mustered $3700 & sent & got the Package & Bill Receipted. I am collecting a little money & will send some to Friend Henderson & others first opportunity. I will send to your Caree. Cous. Matt Crutchfield is on a visit to us at present – she will spend a little time with Lizzie –

Lizzie & Matt join me in much love to all the family &c

Affectionately

JM Hadley

 

Source: Hadley Collection, Chatham County Historical Association. 

Read Full Post »

The Ladies behave with great dignity & one of them… in mourning for her country #civilwar150

February 24, 1862

More details of the disaster at Donaldson.  Up to the night of the 14^th our men held their own, sent messages announcing their ability to should out, & cheered the nation with the hope of Victory.  That night the enemy was again heavily reinforced & our men, wearied out, could fight no more.  A council of War was called & surrender, to save the useless effusion of blood, agreed on.  Floyd in command, he immediately transferred it to Pillow who has promptly passed it to Buckner & upon him the junior Gen devolved the odious task of surrender.  Floyd & part of his Brigade & Pillow being nearest to the river made their escape in the steamboats which had brought supplies to the forces.  Buckner [---] and 6000 wearied & exhausted men, our wounded, arms and munitions of War fell into the hands of the enemy.  Their loss in killed & wounded was greater than ours—had there been anything like equality of force we would have beaten them terribly, even tho’ the most of our men were Militia.  The President has ordered a court of Inquiry & in the mean time relieved Gens Floyd & Pillow of their commands. 

            Johnston’s conduct in giving up Nashvillewithout a blow is much criticized; indeed the Tennessee Delegation in Congress has waited on the President & requested him to supercede Gen A S Johnston& send another & more competent Gen in his place.  Mr Davis reply was “Gentlemen, if Albert Sydney Johnston is not a General, I have no General”! Nashville is occupied by the Federal troops, the inhabitants “sullenly and sulkily,” they say, but “firmly & patriotically,” we call it, refusing to hold any communication with them.  The Ladies behave with great dignity & one of them, a former Belle inWashingtonCity, on receiving the card of Gen McCook, a former acquaintance, “begged that he would excuse her—she saw no more, was in mourning for her country”!

            Col Shaw of Roanoke Island member has been ordered toRichmondto attend a Court of Inquiry summoned by the President to determine who is to blame for that deplorable affair.  “Disgraceful,” Mr Davis terms it, and disgraceful it is—only I hope the disgrace will fall on the right person.  At night most unexpectedly came Patrick from Hamilton, the Military all gone & the Militia even disbanded, but he has been left in command of the Defences projected to stop the ascent of the enemy up the River.  He has progressed well so far with it.  It consists of a number of condemned vessels firmly bolted together & loaded with Turpentine, Tar, Rosin and other combustible.  This is anchored at Rainbow Bend where the River makes a sudden turn.  This is to be cut loose on the approach of the enemy & drifting slowly with the current & extending entirely across the River it will, it is hoped, carry fire & distruction in its path.  The River is narrow just there & in the turns or the backing down in haste it is hardly possible but that they will run into each other.  So I hope that Rainbow Bend will be no Bow of promise to them—a sign of speedy destruction.  The River is very high & rising rapidly, which is a great draw back to his labours.

 

Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html

Read Full Post »